San Diego News

TB Case Reported at La Mesa Middle School

La Mesa, California - A person at La Mesa Middle School recently started treatment for tuberculosis (TB) and may have exposed others, the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) reported.

HHSA is working closely with school officials to notify individuals who were possibly exposed to tuberculosis (TB). The period of potential exposure is from April 23 to June 13, 2014. Free testing for students who may have been exposed will take place on July 23 at the school located at 4200 Park Avenue in La Mesa.

“Symptoms of active TB include persistent cough, fever, night sweats and unexplained weight loss,” says Wilma Wooten, M.D., M.P.H., County public health officer. “Most people who are exposed to TB do not develop the disease, but when it does occur, it can be treated and cured with medication; that’s why it’s important to identify those who have been exposed.”

TB in not uncommon in the San Diego region but has been decreasing in recent years. To date, 84 cases have been reported in 2014. In 2013, 206 cases were reported in the county, the lowest number since local TB case peaked at 469 in 1993. There were 234 cases in 2012

For more information on this potential exposure, call the La Mesa-Spring Valley School District at (619) 668-5700 or the County TB Control Program at (619) 692-8621